 "Army soldiers near the house where militants were hiding during an encounter in Ratnipora area of Pulwama district of south Kashmir, Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019. (Representative Photo, Credit: PTI)")
Pakistan violated the ceasefire with cross-border firing for the 11th consecutive day on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
Since the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has upped the ante along the border with India and has engaged in nearly-daily cross-border firing at the Line of Control (LoC) that primarily falls in the Kashmir region of Jammu and Kashmir. However, there have also been reports of firing at the International Border (IB) that primarily falls in Jammu region of J&K.
In a statement, the Indian Army on Monday said that Pakistan engaged in unprovoked firing in the areas of Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in J&K.
“Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately,” read the statement.
There were no reports of any casualties on the Indian side.
The Indian-Pakistan ceasefire, which was reached afresh in 2021, appears to be non-existent now as Pakistan has junked the Simla Agreement of 1972.
In response to India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan announced putting all agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, in abeyance. The Simla Agreement forms the basis of the India-Pakistan borders and the ceasefire agreements of 2003 and 2021. With the junking of these agreements, the ceasefire agreements stand negated as well.
Since the Pahalgam attack in which terrorists killed 26 people, Pakistan has resorted to an aggressive military posturing that comprises intensifying cross-border firing, continuous military drills and tests of missiles, moving military equipment and soldiers closer to the border, and ramping up rhetoric that threatens war and invokes nuclear weapons.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPrime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to respond to the Pahalgam attack, but has not yet taken any military action. However, the government has indicated that an action is in the offing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that “whatever you desire will happen in an apparent reference to the public’s expectation of a military retaliation.